News

This week I want to recognize several people and projects that reflect the service, care, and community spirit that make Southbury strong.

Congratulations to Sara Panaccio and Jaiden Carter

(Southbury Fire Department photo)

Congratulations to Parks and Recreation’s Recreation Coordinator Sara Panaccio for graduating from Litchfield Fire School’s Fire 1 course and becoming a certified firefighter. Fellow Southbury Volunteer Fire Department volunteer Jaiden Carter also completed his certification by graduating from Mission CIT’s combined Fire 1 and Fire 2 class. Thank you both for the time and commitment you have invested to help protect our community.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15th was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It is a global initiative to raise awareness of elder abuse and neglect. Southbury Police Chief Chris Grillo spoke at Quinnipiac University on “Protecting Older Adults.” The program brought together approximately 150 people, including Southbury Senior Services Director Andrea Corcoran and Social Services Director Mary Silverman, the discussion included elder justice, best practices, dignity, and safety for older adults.

Land Records Fraud Alert Service

The Southbury Town Clerk offers a free Land Records Fraud Alert service. Property owners can sign up to receive an email alert when a document, such as a deed or mortgage, is recorded under their name in the Southbury Town Clerk’s office. More information is available on the town website, or residents may visit the Town Clerk’s office for assistance signing up.

Ballantine Pavilion Bathroom Repairs

The Ballantine Pavilion bathrooms have been fully repaired and improved. In addition to repairing vandalism, the work addressed broken molding, cracked floors, and damaged or nonfunctioning fixtures. Public Works also completed the seasonal cleanup needed after the winter so the bathrooms are ready for campers and people using the pavilion this year. A new refrigerator and freezer for the pavilion scheduled for replacement in 2024-25 have been ordered and will be replaced shortly.

Park Landscaping Improvements

In the next few weeks, residents will begin to see landscaping upgrades to both Ballantine and Settlers Parks. Prestige Landscaping was awarded the contract and they will begin installing plantings at Settlers near the parking area of the riverwalk, the entrance to the north parking lot on both the right and left hand side flower beds, and around the gazebo where the summer concerts will take place. Ballantine will see upgrade plantings to the welcome sign and flower bed at the playground parking area and new landscape installations near the pool. These improvements are part of a commitment to attractive, welcoming public spaces and addresses long needed maintenance of our parks.

Ballantine Pool Opened on June 21

Ballantine Pool opened for the season on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21. Please visit the town website for hours and pool membership information. Opening the pool this year required significant work. The pool needed to be drained, cleaned and refilled after discovering a large amount of leaves were left in the pool over the winter causing staining due to the pool cover not being installed timely. Additionally, the pool house had a number of burst water pipes that needed to be repaired and the floor needed paint. The exterior has also been painted. Thank you to Parks and Recreation Director Meghan Lennon, our new Aquatics Director Tristan Nee, our lifeguards, and Public Works outside properties for helping to get the pool ready and open on time. All went over and above the call of duty to ensure the pool was able to open to our residents on time. If you have a chance, please stop by to see the improvements. Lucky Dog concessions will be serving patrons throughout the summer.

Summer Concerts Begin July 6

Parks and Recreation’s Monday evening concert series at the Settlers Park gazebo begins July 6 with Marc Berger + RIDE. The concert is free, runs from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and food will be available from Lucky Dog World Famous Hot Dogs. Future concerts include One Track Mind, Sun Kings — A Beatles Tribute, and My Brother’s Band. Residents can enjoy the music and the soon-to-be renovated gardens.

Farmers’ Market Opened Last Week

The Southbury Farmers’ Market opened on June 18, and will run every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall Green through November 19. I look forward to seeing the local goods available each week.

Rochambeau Traverse Hike

The Rochambeau Traverse hike with Southbury Historian John Dwyer and Southbury Land Trust President Joe Ruggiero was a well-organized and enjoyable event highlighting Southbury’s natural spaces, parks, and Main Street South. I especially enjoyed the unveiling of the Victory Town sign, sponsored by the Southbury Historical Society, in front of the Veterans Memorial Green. More photos on the website and Facebook.

Listen to Our Veterans’ Voices

First Selectman Tim O’Neil with Vietnam veteran Ken McIntosh, father of Lisa Antrum.

I also enjoyed the Listen to Our Veterans’ Voices fundraiser on June 5 at the George Newton VFW Post 1607, hosted by Lisa Antrum. It was good to see so many people come out to support veterans and enjoy the VFW’s amenities.

Taxes and New Option to Pay at Ion Bank

Tax bills will be mailed at the end of the month. Residents can find information about taxes and payment options on the town website. New this year, residents will also have the option to pay their taxes at Ion Bank in Southbury.

Employment Opportunities

Southbury is hiring for several positions, including Senior Center Minibus Drivers, Grounds Maintainer, Human Resources Generalist, Emergency Dispatcher, Finance Assistant, Public Works Director, and Buildings and Grounds Director. More information is available on the town website.

Southbury America 250 Commission Events

The Revolutionary War Monument Dedication and America’s 250 Bell Ringing is on July 4 at Veterans Memorial Green where a new monument honoring Southburians who served in the Revolutionary War will be unveiled. You can bring bells to ring in an old tradition to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Community Reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8 at Veterans Memorial Green is a nationwide simultaneous event that recreates the first reading of the Declaration of Independence to the people on July 8, 1776.

And a reminder, the Southbury Historical Society’s new America 250th exhibit, which opened in June at the Old Town Hall Museum, will run through mid-August. The exhibit highlights Southbury’s role in the Revolutionary War.

Congratulations to Our Graduates

Last but not least, many Region 15 students are being celebrated as they move on to the next phase of their lives. I want to congratulate all students who have completed the school year and wish them continued success as they take on new challenges.

I had the pleasure of attending the Pomperaug High School graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 20, where 243 students received their diplomas. Valedictorian Sohan Nelakudity delivered a heartfelt speech that brought both laughter and tears to many in attendance. I was especially pleased to learn that graduate Mariella Rose Genovese will be attending my alma mater, the University of San Diego, on a full ROTC scholarship from the United States Marine Corps. As a USD graduate from the Class of 1985, I was excited to meet someone from our community following a similar path.